How 2016 became the year the music died

British rock star David Bowie died of cancer on Jan. 10, 2016.(Photo11: Kathy Willens, AP)

While past years have brought plenty of deaths in the music industry, in 2016 we sure seemed to lose a lot of icons.

The year had barely begun as many music lovers purchased David Bowie’s 25th album, “Blackstar,” on Jan. 8, the musician’s 69th birthday. Two days after “Blackstar” released, fans were shocked to hear that the “Starman” had died of liver cancer.

The Thin White Duke recorded the album while battling cancer, yet he kept his declining health a secret from most people — including members of the jazz band that backed the singer on “Blackstar.” In addition to jazz, hip hop also influenced Bowie’s writing for the album.

Because he finished “Blackstar” with an understanding that it was going to be his last album, it reads like a farewell. On the album’s first single, “Lazarus,” Bowie sings: “Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen.”

Similarly, the legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen was able to say goodbye with his final album, “You Want It Darker,” when it released on Oct. 21, three weeks before his death. The album capped off a brilliant trio of consecutive records to finish out his storied career, joining 2012’s “Old Ideas” and 2014’s “Popular Problems.”

The press around “You Want It Darker” featured interviews with Cohen talking about how he felt like death was just around the corner for him. While some media outlets seemed to indicate that he might be exaggerating, Cohen died on Nov. 7 after a fall while battling cancer. He was 82.

On the title track from “You Want It Darker,” Cohen, who was both an observant Jew and ordained Buddhist monk, sang “Hineni Hineni / I’m ready, my Lord.” “Hineni” is Hebrew for “Here I am.”

Perhaps the only 2016 music death to rival the impact of Bowie was Prince. While both Bowie and Cohen died of natural causes, it was an accidental fentanyl overdose that claimed this multi-talented musician on April 21 at his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, at the age of 57.

Prince’s iconic status warranted an impressive show of remembrance across the nation, from simple displays of the color purple to showings of his films. Many musicians covered his songs in concert, including Culture Club, which played “Purple Rain” during its November stop at Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins City.

Death knew no musical genre boundaries in 2016. It also claimed country legend Merle Haggard. The singer, songwriter, guitarist and fiddler survived an angioplasty in 1995 and lung cancer in 2008 only to battle pneumonia for the last year of his life, finally succumbing to it on April 6, his 79th birthday.

Pneumonia was also listed among the various causes of death for Glenn Frey of the Eagles on Jan. 18 at the age of 67. The voice behind “Take It Easy,” “Tequila Sunrise” and “The Heat Is On,” had battled a series of illnesses for many years, including rheumatoid arthritis. On Sept. 24, a statue of Frey was installed at Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, the town featured in “Take It Easy.”

Further diversifying the lost roster was rapper Pfife Dawg of the pioneering alternative hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. He died on March 22 at the age of 45 from complications of diabetes. Unfortunately he didn’t live to see his group’s comeback album, “We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service,” which released on Nov. 11. However, he does appear on the album, which was something of a comeback for A Tribe Called Quest as the group’s first album in 18 years.

A less-famous name was Sharon Jones, who fronted the soul/funk band Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. She died from complications of cancer following on Nov. 18 at the age of 60, just as she was beginning to gain mainstream attention. Jones didn’t even release her first record until she was 40 and in 2014 she was nominated for her first Grammy Award with The Dap-Kings in the category of Best R&B Album.

One of the most influential musical names lost in 2016 was a man found behind the scenes. But he was behind the scenes of the biggest band in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Longtime Beatles producer George Martin died in his sleep on March 8 at the age of 90. Known as the “Fifth Beatle,” Martin was a multi-talented musician, producer, arranger, composer, conductor and audio engineer and the man behind the orchestral arrangements on most of The Beatles’ music, including hits like “Yesterday,” “Penny Lane” and “Eleanor Rigby.” One of Martin’s final contributions to The Beatles legacy was his hand in remixing many Beatles tunes for the Cirque du Soleil “Love” show at The Mirage in Las Vegas, which opened 10 years ago.

Those behind the scenes like Martin rarely get much attention but he played a major role in creating some of the most beloved popular music of all time. While Bowie, Prince, Haggard and the others all definitely deserve the honors they’ve received following their deaths, the loss of Martin’s overwhelming talents should also be mourned alongside them.

The year truly was a tragic one for music. We even lost one of our own right here in Southern Utah when Groovefest founder and Groovacious owner Tim Cretsinger died of cancer on March 14. “The Father of the Groove” was the face of live music in Southern Utah. He was known as much for his devotion to community as his love of music. A series of memorial concerts, including one held during what would have normally been Groovefest weekend in June, commemorated that devotion and love.

Haven Scott, a reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News in Cedar City, perhaps said it best when he called March 14 “the day the music died for Cedar City.” Yet Cretsinger’s widow, Lisa, continues to operate Groovacious, the record store they started together, and the live music scene he nurtured has gained strength and found an identity of its own.